Darth Vader #11 Review

A bounty is on Vader’s head and they’ve come to collect. Talk about a bad idea. Charles Soule and Giuseppe Camuncoli continue their excellent run on Darth Vader, but will he make it out alive in the end? Well duh, yeah of course, this takes place before A New Hope after all!

So what’s it about?

Why does this matter?

This is an interesting period in the Star Wars universe due to there being very little details in regards to what Vader was up to after he took out most of the Jedi. One might imagine he twiddled his thumbs until Luke came along, but they’d be wrong.

Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?

Why does this structure remind me of Spaceballs?

This new story arc is titled “The Rule of Five” which is very interesting indeed. If you’re familiar with Sith and Jedi you know of the rule of two so this is quite interesting. Is Soule revealing a new rule about Jedi and Sith? We aim to find out. The issue opens with Vader following up on a tip that a Jedi entered a bar. Soule does a good job establishing Vader’s relationship with the minion, a Ninth Sister, who works for him. It’s quite clear even though Jedi are nearly wiped out there are characters who exhibit some Force power. This character also has a rocky past with Vader yet does his bidding. One might suspect they may come to blows in this arc.

The main thrust of the issues story involves Vader falling into a trap and then chasing down the perpetrators. As the story progresses Soule introduces interesting gizmos to combat Vader and some lightsaber usage we haven’t seen before. The chase and the bounty hunters Vader are after lead to quite a surprise ending and a reminder that the Sith don’t have it easy even with those they should probably trust.

Giuseppe Camuncoli draws a good issue with colors by David Curiel and inks by Daniele Orlandini. The opening space bar has an interesting design, a bar in the clouds so to speak, and the interior leaves room for singers and the like. It’s always fascinating to see how Camuncoli expresses emotion through Vader’s mask. It can at times seem cartoonish since the mask is literally shifting to convey anger or surprise, but it works well.

So they’re not friends then.

It can’t be perfect can it?

The plot of this issue is rather simple and doesn’t contain any big surprises or reveals that have made this a must read for Star Wars fans. That isn’t to say it’s a bad comic, on the contrary, it’s well plotted and keeps your interest.

The last few pages look a tad rushed on the art side of things. The level of detail is reduced compared to the first few pages and the final big reveal is rather generic looking.

Is It Good?

A good first issue in a new arc that aims to possibly reveal new details about the rules of Jedi and Sith. Vader can’t catch a break and it’s quite clear even when you’re in charge life ain’t easy being a Sith.

Darth Vader #11

Is it good?

A good chapter, although it leaves you wanting more in regards to reveals.

Good art, especially in the first few pages

The relationship between Vader and the Ninth Sister is interesting

Vader action and chase sequence!

Some of the last few pages look unfinished compared to the first few pages